The guitarist of revered Sydney outfit The Hummingbirds, Simon Holmes, has passed away this week, according to friends and family.
In a statement posted to Facebook, the band wrote, “Simon Holmes, beloved father, friend to countless and our band mate, passed away last week.
“Our hearts are broken.”
A cause of death is yet to be announced.
The Hummingbirds were considered one of the most promising bands to emerge from Sydney’s inner west in the late ‘80s. Their 1989 single, Blush, peaked at #19 on the ARIA Singles chart.
Together, the indie-pop group released four studio albums, including a greatest hits compilation in 2001, and four EPs.
Though they disbanded in 1993, The Hummingbirds reunited in 2011 for a set at Big Day Out, followed by a few follow-up concerts that year and in July last year.
Holmes also featured in the 2008-formed band The Aerial Maps, who paid tribute to their “co-conspirator, guiding light, emotional touchpoint and musical genius”.
“We shared some wonderful times together - touring, rehearsing and recording - all-up making a total of five albums across Modern Giant, The Aerial Maps and The Ark-Ark Birds,” lead vocalist Adam Gibson wrote on Facebook.
“He was a great friend, a true mentor, someone whom we all deeply admired, respected and loved. The Hummingbirds were his iconic and integral band, but for the past 10 or so years, myself, Sean Kennedy and the other Aerial Maps/Ark Arks were absolutely honoured, privileged and proud that we could work with him on the stuff we did.
“My deepest thoughts go to his family and other loved ones. He will be greatly missed and yet remembered for being an amazing person and incredible musician. It's all there in the music.”
Holmes worked in other bands such as Rev Head and Fragile and he was involved in pioneering record-store-turned-label, Half A Cow.
He also produced tracks for the likes of Custard, The Fauves and Died Pretty.
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